I read The Economist cover to cover every week. I’m especially enamoured of their Special Reports, particularly Technology Quarterly, so I was double-dipped in delight on discovery of their new technology blog, Babbage. Take a look at this post, for instance:
OK CUPID, an online dating service in America, has run a lengthy analysis of its members’ political attitudes and concluded that Republicans form an effective opposition party because they cohere better, ideologically. The data set consisted of 172,853 people and one crucial unmentioned bias: they’re all lonely. Closer to Ok Cupid’s specialty, however, is the conclusion that Republicans are more likely to match with each other than Democrats, who are evidently incapable of agreeing on anything. (Via Chart Porn)
Rare occurrences in The Economist: typos, stupidity, dullness. Common occurrences: witty captions, biting sarcasm, knowledgeable punditry. They occasionally suffer from elite-club syndrome–the in-the-knowness can get a little tedious–but, basically, the magazine (print and online) rocks the Thunderdome. I just don’t think we’re really, y’know, suited. Besides, I doubt it bakes.
Nicola Griffith 
I've subscribed to The Economist a couple times, but it always wears me out. I have to read it cover to cover, which usually takes longer than a week.
When pressed for time I read the leaders, the letters, the Special Report, the books & arts and science & technology sections. Oh, and KAL's cartoon, and sometimes the obituary (they do such a good job with voice; I keep meaning to use it as an object lesson for a Sterling Editing post). But, you're right, it's full of distractions :)
I recently subscribed and was delighted to discover that this also gives me a subscription accessible from my phone and…and an audible version, complete, as a podcast at iTunes. Woo hoo. I travel a lot, and my commute is almost an each way as well, so I can get down and wallow in the Economist, in three types of media if I so desire. Oh, and the podcast is available on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, a couple of days before I get my hard copy.
I don't travel much at all, and most of what I do at home is word-related, so I don't listen to talk audio. Don't listen to podcasts or radio or, well, anything but music. I often think I might be missing out but when I try, I find the low information density infuriating. Reading = better and faster.
But maybe next time we drive for longer than half an hour I'll give something a go.